Best running shoes for plantar fasciitis – Men and Women

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes the victim pain in the heel or bottom of the foot. It usually starts out really painful when you take the first steps in the morning, then eases gradually as you go about your day. The seriousness of the condition is worsened by the statistics. One in every three people have plantar fasciitis. You can read more about plantar fasciitis statistics here. In this feature we will review some of the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Running is the most basic of exercises, this is the easiest go to form of keeping fit for most people. It goes without saying that people with plantar fasciitis will have more of a challenge when it comes to this. Because of this, the shoes they run in have to be properly suited to their needs.

Here are the 9 best running shoes for plantar fasciitis that we recommend

1. New Balance Fresh Foam Running Shoe

This shoe uses the New Balance’s Premium Fresh Foam technology. It combines a synthetic mid-foot saddle with a breathable mesh. The new midsole technology features a full-length foam that is both soft and responsive.

The upper is Cruz’s knitted and gives the runner a soft feel sensation. The mesh is light-weight and allows for adequate ventilation keeping the feet both cool and dry throughout runs. The one piece nature of the upper-no tongue- allows the runner to slip into the shoe with ease. It also keeps the foot firmly in place.

The outsole is crafted from blown rubber which guarantees durable protection and saves it from wear and tear. The traction on the shoe is outstanding over traditional training surfaces. It basically offers additional support and cushioning while guarding the feet from potential hazards on the road or track.

Pros

Breathable mesh

Great traction

Additional support and cushioning

Cons

2. ASICS Gel-Nimbus 18 Running Shoe

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 18 Running Shoe is a favorite among professional runners and is considered one of the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis. It is a premium cushioned shoe that is a blessing for serious runners looking for a durable daily trainer.

The full length cushioning on the outsole provides excellent stability while ensuring it is adequately responsive. The outsole has an ample amount of thick rubber all through except for directly beneath the heel and along the guidance line.

The rich insole and the equally rich liner below the insole, a darker foam that runs beneath it, the lighter toned Fluidride foam, a plastic stability plate and the outsole rubber represent the areas underneath the feet where the he ASICS Gel-Nimbus 18 Running Shoe stands out from its competitors.

The upper part is also lauded by many professional athletes as being able to keep the feet both cool and dry during runs and workouts.

Pros

Cons

3. Mizuno Wave Rider 19 Running Shoe

This shoe is built for durability over multiple long distance runs. It features a newly designed foam material that is 30% lighter than its predecessor, plus it delivers excellent shock absorption.

It also comes with the patented Mizuno Wave technology. The wave is located within the midsole of the shoe and its primary purpose is to redirect impactful forces away from the foot. This drastically reduces the chances of getting injured.

Another unique feature in the Mizuno Wave Rider 19 Running Shoe is the X10 technology. It features carbon rubber used in the outsole. It is an extremely durable material that is utilized in the higher impact areas of the outsole.

The upper is made up of high quality mesh materials that provide adequate breathability. From the mid-foot onwards, the shoe has an extremely thin mesh layer that allows for air to flow through the shoe.

Finally, the materials utilized in the heel and tongue of the Mizuno Wave Rider 19 Running Shoe are very soft but at the same time have a texture that will grip your sock and hold your foot firmly in place.

Mizuno is definitely one of the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis on the market

Pros

Great for high arches and narrow feet

Good for running and walking alike

Cons

4. Saucony Ride 9 Running Shoe

The Saucony Ride 9 Running Shoe is a great fit for the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis. It comes with adequate padding support for long distances. It utilizes EVERUN technology, which is a cushioning material which boasts outstanding energy return.

The shoe’s upper is lightweight without compromising on durability. Its makeup consists of mesh and synthetic overlays which feature Saucony’s FlexFilm technology. It is this technology that gives the shoe a firm secure fit while maintaining aeration and breathability.

The outsole blends 2 different kinds of rubber, iBR+ which is approximately 33% lighter than other rubbers, and XT-900 carbon rubber. This collabo helps in impact absorption, plus enhances the cushioning on the overall ride of the shoe.

The way the outsole is designed, a layout design known as Tri-flex, maintains better traction during toe-offs compared to other designs. The difference is glaring when tested on wet running surfaces or gravel.

The lightweight nature of the shoe, paired with the plush cushioning, make the Saucony Ride 9one of the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Pros

Cushioned, springy and responsive

Great support for running and walking

Cons

5. ONEMIX Air Cushion Sports Running Shoes

What makes this shoe stand out from the rest is the flywire cables that integrate with the laces to wrap the arch of the foot hence creating an adaptive and supportive fit. Additionally, the midsole flex grooves provide for greater foot flexibility in the fore-foot. This is a nice feature for one of the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis.

The upper of the shoe is crafted from pure genuine leather hence guaranteeing durability, while also sustaining aeration due to the breathable textile lining around the top of the shoe.

The foot-bed is made of EVA, which is short for Ethel Vinyl Acetate. EVA is a manmade material which is basically foam, but a specialized kind. It is softer and more flexible and responsive than your traditional foam. This means comfort is guaranteed, especially for people with Plantar Fasciitis.

Traction is taken care of by the waffle outsole which is extremely durable and offers great multi-surface traction.

Pros

Great shoe for the price

Comfortable and supportive shoe

Good for walking and running

Cons

6. NIKE Revolution 3 Running Shoe

The NIKE Revolution 3 Running Shoe features a synthetic mesh upper, the upper is what makes it stand out from the competition. The mesh has panels which aid in temperature regulation. These panels are a lot more breathable than the rest of the upper and this ensures air circulates adequately through the shoe.

The upper comes with guaranteed durability due to the thicker material located in the heel and forefoot areas just above the sole to provide additional structural support. The insole is provides both comfort and additional support for the wearer.

The tongue and heel of the shoe come with a lot of padding to guarantee comfortability plus nothing rubs the ankle area the wrong way. Shock absorption is also on point with this unit as a result.

The pattern on the sole has excellent traction and grips the surface tightly no matter the surface. Add being super lightweight and you have yourself an efficient and reliable running shoe that gives superb energy return.

Pros

Great arch support

Best for walking long distances

Affordable

Cons

Tight around the toe box, so order according to your feet, i.e wide feet should order a bigger size

7. NIKE Air Max Invigor Print Running Shoes

This shoe features a single-layer mesh upper for proper aeration and comfort during long runs. The midsole on the shoe is full-length phylon which is both light-weight and offers resilient cushioning.

Flexibility is taken care of by the flex grooves which ensure the range of motion throughout the shoe feels natural. The padding on the tongue and collar is thick to enhance comfort and hold the foot firmly in place. The cushioning on the insole covers shock absorption.

The shaft measures approximately 4 inches from the arch. This plays right into the hands of people with plantar fasciitis.

The waffle pattern outsole which has rubber pods on the heel and toe areas ensure traction is taken care of.

Pros

Comfortable and good for running

Nice looking

Cons

8. Adidas Energy Cloud Running Shoe

The Adidas Energy Cloud Wtc m Running Shoe is versatile in that it can be a running shoe, or a gym workout shoe. The light nature of the shoe, coupled with the light but adequate padding on the upper means it suits both purposes.

The outsole is made of Aidwear which is an extremely durable material. It has been known to take a real beating before it even starts showing signs of wear and tear.

This shoe delivers excellent support, superb comfort, and more than adequate responsiveness for both intense workouts and high mileage runs.

The two downsides to this shoe is that the traction can be a little loose on wet surfaces, and the heel may come off as a bit stiff for some peoples liking.

Pros

Lightweight

Comfortable for running

Great deal of support

Cons

9. Adidas Rockadia Trail m Running Shoe

Traction on the adidas Rockadia Trail m Running Shoe beats out most of the competition. This means off road performance is both agile and extremely reliable. The upper features an air mesh to keep the feet cool and dry, plus synthetic overlays to add extra support.

It is a favorite among professional athletes as it has a wide toe box that can fit most feet without discomfort, while at the same time not being too wide that the foot moves around inside the shoe.

The visual aesthetics of the shoe are fashionable and stylish and they appeal to most users. The fact that there are many color variations to choose from is another plus.

The shoe also works great on flat surfaces, despite being more of an off-road shoe.

Pros

Good support

Comfortable for walking

Fairly priced

Cons

Conclusion

Picking the right shoe for running is vital, more so for people with plantar fasciitis. They require shoes that help them cope with this difficult condition. Any one of these reviewed shoes has its own strengths and are more or less the best in the market right now.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes the victim pain in the heel or bottom of the foot. It usually starts out really painful when you take the first steps... Read more →

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